1. Your thoughts on winning the CanadianSME National Business Award
Winning the CanadianSME Community Impact Award is a special one for us because impact is what drives us at COSTI. It honours the work we’ve been doing quietly, case by case, story by story, for over 70 years. From settlement to employment, from trauma recovery to language training, nearly 40,000 individuals turned to us last year alone. This award is a recognition of every staff member who shows up, listens and helps someone feel supported. That’s the real work. And while we don’t do it for the spotlight, we’re proud that this impact is being seen (and felt) across our communities!
2. A special message or advice to small business owners
It is important to be consistent: stay close to your purpose and keep showing up!
Whether it’s about building a business, a service or a movement, real impact happens one story at a time. At COSTI, we’ve spent more than seven decades walking alongside individuals as they rebuild, restart and thrive, and that kind of steady, heart-led work adds up. We may not always see the results right away, but consistency pays off. Community impact doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen when people feel seen, supported and included. And that’s something every small business has the power to do.
COSTI
COSTI is a community-based non-profit supporting newcomers and diverse communities in the Greater Toronto Area since 1952. We offer settlement, employment, education and social services to help individuals build successful lives in Canada. With 20 locations and staff speaking over 60 languages, our support is culturally responsive and client-focused. Our programs include career development, language and skills training, housing support, mental health services and more. At our core, COSTI is more than a service provider—we are a community. We believe that when people feel supported, they thrive. And when individuals thrive, so do our communities.
